Best cartridge in your opinion?
- Thread starter anmogamdilx
- Start date
So many ways to answer this question, so many all rounders.
.308/30.06/270 etc will do it all but those are boring.
If I could only hunt with one cartridge i'd choose something a little more interesting like 375H&H or 416 Ruger.
.308/30.06/270 etc will do it all but those are boring.
If I could only hunt with one cartridge i'd choose something a little more interesting like 375H&H or 416 Ruger.
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
I hunt with the 8mm Mauser (8x57), has more than enough power and range for my hunting needs. That being said i wouldn't hesitate using these other all around cartridges: 7x57/270win/280rem/7x64/308w/30-06/303Brit/9.3x62. So many good choices to go around.
Have to agree with Dave on the 30-06.
Killed quite a few moose with 338's, 35 Whelen, 9.3x66, and 375 H&H but the few I've bagged with the 30-06 with a 200gn Accubond at anywhere between 2650 and 2700 ft/s launch speed, kills as decisively as any of the afore mentioned and ranges as well or better.
Hard to pick just one!
One of my favorites for the last 50+ years has been the .303 but I also really like the 6.5x55 and others.
I also did some hunting with the 3006.
For Canada anyway, I think the '06 would be hard to beat.
Cat
One of my favorites for the last 50+ years has been the .303 but I also really like the 6.5x55 and others.
I also did some hunting with the 3006.
For Canada anyway, I think the '06 would be hard to beat.
Cat
Start with bullet, cartridge comes last.
Figure out your bullet preferences first.
Ie; My preferred bullet performance on game has become a rapid controlled expansion type with minimum of 120 grains weight, .5 bc and .25 sd landing between 2400-1800 fps. Then apply distances you intend to hunt and shoot at game.
From there one can then look at cartridge options to drive your bullet choices to suit your needs.
Figure out your bullet preferences first.
Ie; My preferred bullet performance on game has become a rapid controlled expansion type with minimum of 120 grains weight, .5 bc and .25 sd landing between 2400-1800 fps. Then apply distances you intend to hunt and shoot at game.
From there one can then look at cartridge options to drive your bullet choices to suit your needs.
I always hunt with something different, I really enjoy the "not so common" ones, but when the chips are down and its the end of the season, I tend to grab the 30-06.
I guess that says something.
As mentioned earlier where you hunt will greatly influence choice, but I suppose a long range rig will do better at close range than a 45-70 lever will do at long range.
30-06 does it all at hunting distances. Boring? Yes. Effective? Yes.
I guess that says something.
As mentioned earlier where you hunt will greatly influence choice, but I suppose a long range rig will do better at close range than a 45-70 lever will do at long range.
30-06 does it all at hunting distances. Boring? Yes. Effective? Yes.
At one time I would have said the 30/06 but there's been so many ballistic improvements to cartridges across the board and one of the big beneficiaries has been the 308, especially in the hunting field but also on the target side of things where the 06 has not really developed in that area. (try finding quality match 30/06)
If I had to pick one to keep over all the rest for my interests which are primarily target shooting, hunting and milsurp the 308 would get the nod.
I think retail sales are reflecting this move toward the 308 as I now see many more product offerings and substantial quantities of 308 for sale over the 30/06 in my area among the big sporting goods stores like Bass Pro/Cabelas etc.
30/06 will always have a loyal following (me included) but more and more I see the 308 taking over.
If I had to pick one to keep over all the rest for my interests which are primarily target shooting, hunting and milsurp the 308 would get the nod.
I think retail sales are reflecting this move toward the 308 as I now see many more product offerings and substantial quantities of 308 for sale over the 30/06 in my area among the big sporting goods stores like Bass Pro/Cabelas etc.
30/06 will always have a loyal following (me included) but more and more I see the 308 taking over.
It's a great all around cartridge for sure, but there are lots of others as well.
My choices of cartridge have never been about
" what's best " anyway, they have always been what I want to hunt with . There are so many that cross over each other to try and say one is the best is nonsensical IMO. No matter how much specs., data , or stats one throws down.
The mid sized cases like the .303, 308, Swede 6.5. The various Mausers in 57mm , etc have always been easy to load for with a vast array of bullets and powder choices so one can load for everything from beavers to bears!
Cat
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
My first rifle was chambered in 284win, I still have it. It's still my favourite cartridge. It works for everything I hunt. I've been reloading for as long as I've owned firearms. I have a few oddball cartridges 7mm wsm and 308 norma.
For me it would be 458wm but I've taken far more game with the 2506. I have not hunted moose but I'd have no fear in using either of my stated cartridges. The 2506 is light for moose but if one waits for a good shot it's well within its limits to cleanly take moose from what I've seen it do to bear and deer
12ga would be another contender not based on ballistics but based on the platforms. I enjoy hunting with shotguns and I hunt in areas that provide close shots so a shotgun with slugs would rarely leave me wanting
12ga would be another contender not based on ballistics but based on the platforms. I enjoy hunting with shotguns and I hunt in areas that provide close shots so a shotgun with slugs would rarely leave me wanting
